our man in nz

Postcard from NZ: Good George

Pubs and bars in New Zealand open for the first time since March today. Nick Oscilowski spoke to Brian Watson of Good George about surviving the lockdown and hopes for the future of beer and hospo across the Tasman.

Craft Beer Heroes: Doug Donelan

From fermenting pumpkins at home and homebrewing with his brother via Malt Shovel to heading up New Zealand Hops, Doug Donelan has lived his life in beer. We sat down with him as he starts looking forward to retirement.

Beer Travel: Auckland

For years, Auckland's beer scene was left in the wake by Wellington and Christchurch. But that's all been changing in a city that even has its own Beer Mile. Jono Galuszka checked it out in the company of its beer-loving inhabitants.

Liberty Triumph At NZ Beer Awards

It was a huge night for Liberty Brewing as they collected a swag of trophies, including Champion Exhibitor. Fork Brewcorp and Lion went back to back as champion breweries too, as Steam Brewing went five for five too.

Our Man In NZ: The Yeast Starters

They've been mates since they were 12 and have brewed together for years. Now Simon Cooke and Ryan Carville are looking to change the NZ brewing industry via Froth Technologies.

Behind The Hottest 100 Kiwi Beers Of 2018

The 2018 GABS Hottest 100 Kiwi Beers countdown saw a big increase in hazy IPAs, a few debuts and a big presence for beers from the big man behind Behemoth. Here, Jono Galuszka chats to the people behind some of those stories.

Hottest 100 Kiwi Craft Beers Of 2018

The results of the GABS Hottest 100 Kiwi Beers Of 2018 are in and it's another show of dominance by Garage Project, with Behemoth not far behind. Hazy IPAs are on the rise as formerly independent brands fall away.

Our Man In NZ: Liberty Brewing

Liberty Brewing is one of the brightest stars in the New Zealand beer scene and has recently started brewing some of its beers in Melbourne for the Aussie market. Jono Galuszka called in on founder Joe Wood to see what makes him tick.

Our Man In NZ: The Game Changer

There are plenty of far larger and higher profile beer competitions in New Zealand and Australia but, arguably, none as influential. Our Man In NZ travels back in time to trace the evolution of the annual West Coast IPA Challenge.

Our Man In NZ: Craftwork Brewery

Wizards, a tumble dryer, Belgian-inspired ales, porno beer, the tiniest of tasting rooms and a dark lord... Our Man In NZ heads to Craftwork Brewery and falls under the spell of Michael O'Brien and Lee-Ann Scotti.

Podcast B2
Bintani Abstrax B
Beer Travel: Christchurch

For a city with an extensive brewing history, Christchurch breweries are not as prominent in beer drinkers’ thoughts as those from Wellington and Auckland. But Our Man in New Zealand, Jono Galuszka, found a beer culture comfortable in its own skin.

Hottest 100 Kiwi Beers Of 2017: The Results

The results of the second GABS Hottest 100 Kiwi Beers poll are in and Panhead has made it two for two with Supercharger holding top spot. The now retired Death From Above takes a posthumous bow in second, joined by fellow Garage Project beer Pernicious Weed on the podium.

Hottest 100 Kiwi Beers of 2017: Analysis

Is the "Craft Beer Capital" baton passing from Wellington to Auckland? Why are there so few beers from South Island brewers? Which styles dominated? And more as we cast an eye over the results in the second GABS Hottest 100 Kiwi Beers poll.

Beer Travel: Nelson-Tasman

While Wellington claims to be New Zealand’s "craft beer capital" and cities like Christchurch and Auckland occasionally stake a claim for the title, the Nelson/Tasman area feels like its home. Our Man In NZ Jono Galuszka recounts his weeklong road trip through the area,

Our Man In NZ: ParrotDog Surfs On

From brewing in a toilet to trophy-winning rising stars of the New Zealand brewing industry, it's been quite the ride for the three Matts behind ParrotDog. Jono Galuszka joins them as they settle into their impressive new Lyall Bay home.

Our Man In NZ: Beer Camp Heads South

Beervana has lined up a meaty exclusive, luring Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp outside the US for the first time. With more American breweries looking at the Australasian market, Jono Galuszka looks at what it means for the festival and the NZ beer scene.

Our Man In NZ: Kiwi Hops

The New Zealand hop industry produces some of the most sought after varieties in the world. Jono Galuszka spent time with NZ Hops and one of the lead scientists behind the development of new hops to find out more.

Our Man In NZ: Brewpubs

The brewpub model is growing in popularity on both sides of the Tasman. In his latest article for The Crafty Pint, Our Man In NZ, Jono Galuszka, chats to three people heading down that path in Wellington and Palmerston North.

Our Man In NZ: Spontaneity

In his latest article on the New Zealand beer scene, Jono Galuszka talks to two of the men exploring beer's "final frontier". They are two of a growing number of brewers turning their attention to spontaneous fermentation.

Our Man in NZ: Moa's Changing Fortunes

​Our new Kiwi correspondent, Jono Galuszka, today kicks off his monthly feature series by sitting down with one of the most controversial figures in New Zealand beer, Moa's CEO, Geoff Ross.


Want to know more?


Our Man In NZ: Introducing Jono Galuszka

Like many Kiwis, Jono Galuszka’s first forays into beer were of the cheap, cold and tasteless kind while at uni. Things have changed significantly since, with Jono named New Zealand Beer Writer of the Year in 2015. In 2017, he joins the Crafty Pint team as our regular New Zealand writer.